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Kerrang!Jul 26, 2017At some point, a little experimenting may be needed, but for now this cements their status as the behemoths of British rock. [17 Jul 2017, p.50]
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Jul 19, 2017HDWGSD is so DTF it's practically humping the furniture, making it one of the most genuine works of rock 'n' roll since Elvis weaponised his pelvis.
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Jun 16, 2017Broadening the sonic palette helps sharpen the songs, and the result is a sophomore set that's ambitious and satisfying.
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Jun 16, 2017While their first outing had as much subtlety as a whack around the face, this time they’ve born a more considered--but sinister--creature.
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Q MagazineJun 14, 2017There are moments when the slick threatens to overwhelm the raw, and not just when extraneous elements are introduced. But the gut-level punch of Kerr's bass and the thunderstruck gallop of Thatcher's drumming cannot be denied. [Aug 2017, p.106]
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MojoJun 14, 2017Whatever Royal Blood have surrendered in volume here, they have gained in new dimensions. [Jul 2017, p.89]
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Jun 14, 2017Familiar ground, but consider this the sound of modern masters honing their craft.
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Jun 14, 2017This record pumps Royal Blood forward without diluting their strengths. They might have to tweak something next time around, but by then they could well be the biggest young rock band in the world. Two boys making true noise. It’s in their veins.
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Jul 5, 2017There are few bands that can match Royal Blood at their heavy, melodic best, and How Did We Get So Dark? proves to be a thrilling--if limited--listen from one of the UK’s fastest-rising rock bands.
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Jun 16, 2017How Did We Get So Dark? has plenty of appeal, possibly just edging the debut, and is the sound of a band enjoying their niche, but how long that can last has to be the concern here.
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Oct 5, 2017The title track won't drag big rock forward, but How Did We Get So Dark? will definitely scratch a riff-loving itch.
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Jun 22, 2017Despite how thunderous Thatcher sounds behind the drums or how dirty Kerr's bass tone is, unfortunately there isn't a pedal for more robust and compelling songwriting.
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Jun 19, 2017While it starts thrillingly--the title track and Lights Out as good as anything they’ve ever done and reminiscent of Queens of the Stone Age at their most imperious--they fail to sustain their momentum, the middle of the album suffering from a surfeit of unremarkable filler.
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Jun 19, 2017In summary, this is an album which is trying to be lots of things for lots of people. The sadness being that where Royal Blood appealed to so many because of its abandoned musicality and aggression, How Did We Get So Dark? may run the risk of losing its soul and beating heart in order to please the masses.
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UncutJun 14, 2017Although there are no gaffes here, neither is there much to mark it out from their first. [Jul 2017, p.36]
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Jun 15, 2017At less than 35 minutes, How Did We Get So Dark? lasts longer than the Ramones’ debut--and indeed Royal Blood’s own-- but this time out they seem worryingly short on new ideas.
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Jun 14, 2017They’re still sculpted from the same small portfolio of sounds--basically, buzzing distorted guitar riffs and harmony chants borne along on pummelling drum barrages--which tends to impose too narrow an emotional range on the album. It’s like being hectored loudly by a bore.
Awards & Rankings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 77 out of 102
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Mixed: 19 out of 102
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Negative: 6 out of 102
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Jul 8, 2017
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Jun 19, 2017
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Feb 13, 2023